Psychological Explanations for schizophrenia; FAMILY
DYSFUNCTION
If schizophrenia was determined entirely by genetic factors, then the
concordance rate for Monzygotic or identical twins would be close to
100%.
As it is actually under 50%, it is probable that several social or
environmental factors contribute to the development of schizophrenia.
Early psychodynamic theorists, (influenced by Freudian ideas), regarded
family relationships, especially those between a mother and her son, as
crucial in the development of schizophrenia.
They thought that a “schizophrenogenic” mother who was cold,
dominant, and created conflict, caused schizophrenia to emerge in the
child.
How?
These mothers were said to be rejecting controlling leading to excessive
stress, which triggers psychotic thinking.
, In the 1950’s and 60’s it was thought that people suffering from schizophrenia
were from dysfunctional families.
Theories relating to family influences are of particular interest:
1. Those that focus on difficulties in parent-child
communication
2. Family schism and skew
3. Those that consider the amount of expressed emotion (EE)
within a family
DYSFUNCTION
If schizophrenia was determined entirely by genetic factors, then the
concordance rate for Monzygotic or identical twins would be close to
100%.
As it is actually under 50%, it is probable that several social or
environmental factors contribute to the development of schizophrenia.
Early psychodynamic theorists, (influenced by Freudian ideas), regarded
family relationships, especially those between a mother and her son, as
crucial in the development of schizophrenia.
They thought that a “schizophrenogenic” mother who was cold,
dominant, and created conflict, caused schizophrenia to emerge in the
child.
How?
These mothers were said to be rejecting controlling leading to excessive
stress, which triggers psychotic thinking.
, In the 1950’s and 60’s it was thought that people suffering from schizophrenia
were from dysfunctional families.
Theories relating to family influences are of particular interest:
1. Those that focus on difficulties in parent-child
communication
2. Family schism and skew
3. Those that consider the amount of expressed emotion (EE)
within a family
